by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 376 U.S. colleges awarded 11,910 degrees and certificates in Communications. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 82% of graduates. College Factual ranks 192 schools in its 2027 Best Communications Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,697 one year after completing, rising to $58,170 after four years.
A degree in Communications involves the study of Communication, General. A Program That Focuses On The Comprehensive Study Of Communication, And That Spans The Study Of Mass Communication/media Studies, Old And New Media Technologies, Social And Political Applications, And Speech Communication And Rhetoric. Includes Instruction In Interpersonal, Group, Organizational, And Intercultural Communication; Theories Of Communication; Critical Thinking, Argumentation, And Persuasion; Written Communication; Printed, Electronic, And Digital Media; Rhetorical Tradition And Criticism; Media, Society, And Culture; Consequences And Effects Of Mass Media; Media Social Science And Criticism; And Quantitative And Qualitative Methods Of Inquiry. Examples: [Communication].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., communications is a widely-pursued major, with 11,910 degrees awarded annually. 376 colleges award communications degrees, an average of 32 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 730.
By level, the 11,910 awards include 2 certificates, 499 associate degrees, 9,816 bachelor’s degrees, 1,555 master’s degrees and 38 doctorates.
Women earned 66% of communications degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,885 of 11,910). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,331) and Hispanic or Latino (2,139), and international students earned 523.
College Factual ranks 192 schools in its 2027 Best Communications Schools ranking, including 15 for associate degrees, 171 for bachelor’s degrees, 26 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks communications schools within 39 states. In all, 376 colleges offer communications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Communications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common communications credential is the bachelor’s degree: 9,816 of the 11,910 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to communications call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Communications and Media and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a communications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 499 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,816 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,555 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 38 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to communications, at 40.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.6% |
| Master’s degree | 32.4% |
| Some college courses | 9.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Communications, with an average median salary of $96,475; the strongest outlook belongs to Fundraisers, at 12.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Speech Teacher, Communication Studies Professor, Journalism Teacher and Communication Studies Instructor.
The occupation related to communications with the most projected jobs is Communications Teachers, Postsecondary, at 919,494.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Fundraising Managers | 340,731 | -1.0% |
| Fundraisers | 340,575 | 12.6% |
| Public Relations Managers | 337,124 | 7.0% |
| Public Relations Specialists | 288,926 | -3.5% |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 175,767 | 9.1% |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | 160,960 | 8.2% |
| Writers and Authors | 155,629 | -4.3% |
Communications graduates earn a median $37,697 one year after completing their program, $58,170 after four years and $57,092 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,697 |
| 4 years | $58,170 |
| 5 years | $57,092 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to communications is Public Relations Managers, with a median salary of $139,736.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
Communications has 3 similar majors in the Communication & Journalism field, which together award 43,691 degrees a year; the largest are Speech Communication and Rhetoric (32,124), Mass Communication/Media Studies (9,042) and Communication and Media Studies, Other (2,525). Browse all Communication & Journalism majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 32,124 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 9,042 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | 2,525 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
